Sundays with Sam is a combination of Sunday Post hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Stacking the Shelves hosted by Tynga's Reviews.
My Week in Review
Happy Sunday! I am excited for the short week as we celebrate Thanksgiving because things have been crazy at work. I had mentioned that FINRA changed the definition of a brokerage complaint which has driven our volumes up to five times the norm. The other day, I noticed how the matter numbers we used to identify the complaints needed to be expanded to include an extra digit. One of the systems we use to log the complaints has a limited field. Because I have a big mouth, I let management know, and it just more work for me and the other people in my role. The lesson - I should keep my mouth shut.
I did get some vindication though. I had noticed certain account were not generating these opening documents that were standard when a new account is established. Over the past few years, I had escalated it multiple time, providing examples, via multiple channels, and it went nowhere. One of my co-workers brought it to the head of our line of business as the champion for my group, and he thought it was interesting enough to be looked into. AND I WAS RIGHT!! There was problem! I wasn't crazy.
I didn't do much other than work last week. I did my hair cut and colored on Saturday. It's all nice and neat and one color right now. A good thing. My daughter will be coming in this week for the holiday. She is cooking, so she is the Thanksgiving VIP for sure.
On the Blog
Let's Discuss
- The Orangutan Librarian shares even more unusual retellings
- Krysta discusses authors branching out
Stacking the Shelves
I have a BIG love for holiday romances, and there were many free ones up for grabs this week. I couldn't resist. I snagged a few books from author newsletters too.
Invites
- The Phone Swap by Lia Louis
- Any Means Necessary by Lila Herron
- Winner Take All by Emily Martin
Free
- Mistletoe at Moonglow by Deborah Garner
- Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase
- The Christmas Sneak by Marie Harte
- Hockey Heartthrob Game 2 by Multiple authors
- Ski, Spark, & Serendipity by Marion De Re
- If You Stay the Night by Helena Hunting
Read Last Week
I had to switch up the TBR this week because the library was coming for Pumpkin Hollow. I could have gone on airplane, but I am in a good place with my ARCs, so I just did a swap. I read so many fun books this week. It was good for my mood with all the stuff at work. My favorite by FAR this week was a rather emotional read - Before I Forget. This is about a woman in her late 20s who takes on caring for her father who has Alzheimer's. She sees it as her last chance to reconnect with her father who she had held at arm's length following a tragic accident when she was 16. Alzheimer's + accident = a lot of heartbreak, but the author wrote this story with warmth, care, humor, and hope too. The focus on forgiveness and the power of connection really pulled me in, and I was so invested in all these people's lives. I did cry several times and sob as well, but it ended on a hopeful note.
Find all my reviews on Goodreads
Books
- Fun at Parties by Jamie Harrow - ★★★★ 1/2
- Pickle Perfect by Ilana Long - ★★★★
- Love and Lattes at Pumpkin Hollow by Victoria Walters - ★★★★
- Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen - ★★★★★
Audiobooks
- Night Shift by Annie Crown - ★★★★
- Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne - ★★★★
Currently Reading
Not too far into Ginger Bread, but these books tend to be warm, cozy, and fun. I have never read anything by Gigi Blume before but I am loving Cross Check Christmas. THIS is what I needed - a full-on holiday rom-com. It has me smiling and laughing out loud.
- The Gingerbread Bakery by Laurie Gilmore
- Cross Check Christmas by Gigi Bume
To Be Read
- Where It All Began by Lucy Score
- The Amberglow Candy Store by Hiyoko Kurisu
- The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood
Let us know in the comments!
"The other day, I noticed how the matter numbers we used to identify the complaints needed to be expanded to include an extra digit."
ReplyDeleteI'm sure the problem would have needed to be fixed at some point even if you had kept your mouth shut...I get that it's frustrating though. Programs should be fixed by software developers, not employees.
"One of my co-workers brought it to the head of our line of business as the champion for my group, and he thought it was interesting enough to be looked into."
Which means...you didn't take credit for it 😬.
The funny part, is I remember being asked about that field and I told them it was limited. My life story is nobody listens to me. Not sure if I got any credit for it or not, but I am used to that too
DeleteI am sorry you had so much work! Also that's good that your colleague was heard but it must also be galling to see he is heard and not you when you have been reporting these anomalies for years! And lastly these cats made me laugh so hard!
ReplyDeleteI am used to not being listened to being the youngest.
DeletePeople who make decisions never seem to understand how the programs and things work. So when there is an issue, they never seem to really understand it. Glad someone listened at least. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI know it! Thank you!
DeleteSo you were right all along and it took a man to be heard. Well, nice that you're finally vindicated! Yay for having a holiday meal/get-together where you don't have to cook! I hope you have a nice Thanksgiving, Sam!
ReplyDeleteIt's my personality to fixate, so it was great to hear I was right. Hope you have a wonderful holiday too!
DeleteLOL, it's always a bit of a gamble to open your mouth at work! It often does have the unintended consequence of making more work for yourself. Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteI was cleaning up that mess all day. It would be nice if they asked people who do the job how changes would affect what we are doing. It's another clean up job.
DeleteOof, Before I Forget sounds like it would sucker punch me right in the gut. I do love a book that gets me so heavily invested and emotional, but I think it'd end up waiting for years on the TBR before I get to it because I'll always say "I need to prepare myself to read it" 😂 I hope this week at work will be less intense/hectic and I hope you have a wonderful Turkey Day feast with your loved ones! ✨
ReplyDeleteIt was a well balanced story. It was emotional but also funny. I did alright. I sobbed more when I got to the end of the Lucy Score book I just finished. So many tears.
DeleteI don't know what you actually do, Sam, but it sounds like it is busy and perhaps difficult at times. Too bad it was a frustration situation, with people not listening to your concerns. I just requested Before I Forget, and it sounds very emotional. I read the first two Laurie Gilmore books and they were a bit spicy, so I haven't read any others, how was this one? I hope this week has been going better and that you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteGilmore's books are spicy, but I skip those parts. I do enjoy the world she has built and her stories are feel-good. Before I Forget was bound to be emotional given the subject matter, but it was humorous and touching and hopeful too. Really well done. I liked the author's last book too (The Arc). I work in a complaints department for a brokerage firm. Good times.
DeleteI thought it was some kind of insurance, this makes more sense. Keeping your outlook positive must be a struggle at times.
DeleteWe don't directly deal with the clients, so that helps.
Delete